4.0
The War that Saved My Life
ByPublisher Description
* Newbery Honor Book
* Forbes 25 Top Historical Fiction Books Of All Time selection
* #1 New York Times Bestseller
* Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award
* Wall Street Journal Best Children's Books of the Year selection
* New York Public Library's 100 Books for Reading and Sharing selection
* A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of the Century
An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War II, from the acclaimed author of Fighting Words, and for fans of Fish in a Tree and Number the Stars.
Ten-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.
So begins a new adventure for Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan—and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?
This masterful work of historical fiction is equal parts adventure and a moving tale of family and identity—a classic in the making.
"Achingly lovely...Nuanced and emotionally acute."—The Wall Street Journal
"Unforgettable...unflinching."—Common Sense Media
"Touching...Emotionally charged." —Forbes
★ “Brisk and honest...Cause for celebration.” —Kirkus, starred review
★ "Poignant."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "Powerful."—The Horn Book, starred review
"Affecting."—Booklist
"Emotionally satisfying...[A] page-turner."—BCCB
“Exquisitely written...Heart-lifting.” —SLJ
"Astounding...This book is remarkable."—Karen Cushman, author The Midwife's Apprentice
"Beautifully told."—Patricia MacLachlan, author of Sarah, Plain and Tall
"I read this novel in two big gulps."—Gary D. Schmidt, author of Okay for Now
"I love Ada's bold heart...Her story's riveting."—Sheila Turnage, author of Three Times Lucky
* Forbes 25 Top Historical Fiction Books Of All Time selection
* #1 New York Times Bestseller
* Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award
* Wall Street Journal Best Children's Books of the Year selection
* New York Public Library's 100 Books for Reading and Sharing selection
* A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of the Century
An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War II, from the acclaimed author of Fighting Words, and for fans of Fish in a Tree and Number the Stars.
Ten-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.
So begins a new adventure for Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan—and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?
This masterful work of historical fiction is equal parts adventure and a moving tale of family and identity—a classic in the making.
"Achingly lovely...Nuanced and emotionally acute."—The Wall Street Journal
"Unforgettable...unflinching."—Common Sense Media
"Touching...Emotionally charged." —Forbes
★ “Brisk and honest...Cause for celebration.” —Kirkus, starred review
★ "Poignant."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "Powerful."—The Horn Book, starred review
"Affecting."—Booklist
"Emotionally satisfying...[A] page-turner."—BCCB
“Exquisitely written...Heart-lifting.” —SLJ
"Astounding...This book is remarkable."—Karen Cushman, author The Midwife's Apprentice
"Beautifully told."—Patricia MacLachlan, author of Sarah, Plain and Tall
"I read this novel in two big gulps."—Gary D. Schmidt, author of Okay for Now
"I love Ada's bold heart...Her story's riveting."—Sheila Turnage, author of Three Times Lucky
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesThe War that Saved My Life Reviews
4.0
Sjaye
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akoyfish
Created about 20 hours agoShare
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Abbey Parker
Created 3 days agoShare
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“I loved this book so much. The main character is a 10 year old Ada, who was born with a club-foot. She is not allowed to leave the house because of her mother being ashamed. But when World War Two breaks out her and brother leave and go to Kent where the live with Susan. You see Ada become a fighter and she is so inspiring. My mom read this book to us when we were little and we loved it makes me want to cry. Love this book so much.”
ashacaitlynn
Created 11 days agoShare
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✨Heather✨
Created 18 days agoShare
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“This book hit me deeper than I expected. As someone who grew up with an abusive mom, I felt every ounce of what Ada went through…the fear, the shame, the disbelief that someone could ever truly care for you without wanting something in return. I understood her anger, her walls, and that quiet, constant waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Susan, though… she touched me in the best way. The way she showed Ada and Jamie patience and unconditional love, even when Ada didn’t know how to accept it, reminded me what healing can look like when someone finally shows you gentleness instead of fury.
It’s not just a war story. It’s about surviving the kind of childhood that tries to take everything from you and still finding your way toward love, trust, and peace. This book felt like a mirror, but also a reminder that no matter how broken you start out, you can still build a life that’s yours. I am! I’m about to start book 2 because I know Ada will too.”
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